On August 12, 2021, the Executive Director of the World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office in Yemen, Adham Hashem Abdelmotagleb, had a hair-raising experience when the Aden International Airport, where his flight was slated to land, came under attack by unknown assailants. Abdelmotagleb was set to return to the capital city Sana’a, but due to the escalating violence in Yemen, he had been stationed in Aden since 2015. He narrowly escaped death when his flight was delayed by a few hours, and the attack took place shortly before his scheduled arrival.
Despite the WHO chief never being in physical harm’s way, the alarming attacks underscore the precarious situation in Yemen amid the ongoing conflict that has been raging for years. The country has been embroiled in a civil war since 2014, and the violence has only escalated in the last six years, with air strikes and attacks occurring on a regular basis.
The Aden International Airport attack sent a strong message of fear and instability for world health officials and civilians alike. Several sources have reported loud explosions and military activities in the vicinity of the airport, and foreign health workers along with other expatriates operate under considerable risk in the fragile region. With many Yemeni individuals living in constant fear for their lives, the recent attack raises questions about the safety of foreign aid workers and medical professionals working to alleviate a devastating humanitarian crisis.
As the world grapples with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the escalation of violence in Yemen demonstrates that ensuring global health security takes more than just containing and treating diseases. The World Health Organization’s Executive Director has repeatedly called for an end to the violence in Yemen, expressing growing concerns regarding the safety of both local and international staff.
